Hi There, Need Some Help

[Julz]

Heyy...My name is Julz, and Im new to the board..

I have two fish, a Lion head goldfish and a Black Moore.

For a couple of weeks now the Black Moore (Karen) has been poorly..I dont really know whats wrong, and can only give you the symptoms.

She (i assume she's a she... ) has been lying on the bottom of the tank, on the gravel not swimming, gulping what air she can, not eating. I have noticed her usually bright golden eys, have gone very dark.... is this a sign?

she and the Lion head (Findlay) are both two and a half years old, and have never been like this before. They are in a starters hexagon tank, with a air pump and filter system. Last week on the advice of a fish shop (not the cooked variety) i changed the water and cleaned the stones, as he thought she has Toxic Shock, and said that if i cleaned the stones and tank on a regular basis (about once a week) she should start getting back to normal in a day or so. Well, she is still the same... doesnt seem to have much energy, looks bloated... What is happening? Is she dying? I really dont have a clue, and I dont know how to help her

Please can anyone help

Thanks

 

[vinylman]

Hi Julz and welcome. Need a few more details; what is the size (difficult with hex's I know) and capacity of the tank. Also, when you say 'changed the water and cleaned the stones', did you dechlorinate the new water before adding it to the tank?. How often did you do so before you noticed something was wrong? Have you tested the water, if so, what were the results?. A lot of questions, I know, but it's the best way any of us can help you.

 

[paul_219]

Whats your tank size and what are u reading stats?

 

[Julz]

hi it's 39 inches round, and 14 inches deep...no idea the capacity of water it holds. I have.. NUTRAFIN water conditioner - improves tap water quality by removing chlorine and chloramine. Havent tested the water, no...

I've had the fish for about 6months (they were my friends before that, but she hadnt had any probs with them before this)

 

[vinylman]

Are you using the same filter your friend used; which one is it?. Have you swapped any of the media for new stuff at all?. I know - questions, questions. If you could get us some water stats, that would really help. If you don't have a test kit, can you get a sample of the water to the LFS for them to test. If you can, get them to write down the exact figures, don't let them just say ''it looks fine''.
Just thought of something; in the room where the fish are, do you use any kind of air fresheners?. And is the tank open topped or closed. Sorry, all these questions must be driving you barmy.

 

[Julz]

Hi again...yes i have an air freshner...one of the periodic squirty ones, (lol) the tank is closed. I havent changed anything...all i've got is what came with the fish.. I honestly couldnt tell you the name of the filter.... but i will ask her, see if she remembers... dont mind you asking questions....

LFS???

is it just a sample of the tap water they need? where would I get a testing kit, how would i test it, and roughly how much are they?

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Julz,

You'll be pleased to know i'm not going to ask any questions.

I am going to make a recommendation instead. An essential part of any fishkeeper's tools of the trade is a test kit. It is essential in identifying problems (like now) and helps to build your understanding of what a fish's requirements are. I suggest that you should buy a test kit as soon as possible if you plan to hang on to your fish.

The best options are probably the Nutrafin Mini Master Test Kit or the API Freshwater Master Test Kit.

You should be able to buy these at your LFS (Local Fish Store) or pet store.

If you can't get an all-in-one kit, buy tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH.

Let us know these 4 results and we can help you more.

Cheers

BTT

 

[Julz]

Ok, thanks all, i will do this and get back to you!


Incidently....the stones which are a mix of white and blue....the blue ones have started to lose thier colour, when im cleaning them..should i chuck them and buy non coloured ones?

 

[Julz]

Hi there...just an update to let you know that tonight Karen the Black Moore was swimming again. Still dont know what was wrong, but hope this is the start of her getting better...

Her eye colouring also seems to be getting brighter, much the same as they were before she got "ill"

thanks again for your help!